Independence Day Marks Second PA Fish-for-Free Day

HARRISBURG – Families and friends visiting Pennsylvania’s popular outdoor spots over the July 4 holiday weekend can enjoy a day of free fishing, thanks to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC).

Independence Day – Friday, July 4 – marks the second of two free fishing days in the Commonwealth. Fish-for-Free Days allow anyone – residents and non-residents – to legally fish in Pennsylvania without a fishing license. From 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m., no fishing license is needed to fish in Pennsylvania’swaterways. All other fishing regulations apply.

“Fish-for-Free days are one of the enticements we use to introduce friends and family to the sport of fishing,” said PFBC Executive Director John Arway. “Lakes and parks are always popular spots during the summer and particularly on holidays. This is a convenient way for visitors to try fishing at no cost.”

“We know that once people try fishing, particularly kids, they will see that it is a great recreational activity and they will want to do it more,” he added.

Newcomers to the sport can borrow equipment from dozens of fishing tackle loaner sites across the state.

“We want to encourage individuals to try fishing so we’ve made it easy by setting up tackle loaner sites,” adds Laurel Anders, director of the Bureau of Boating and Outreach. “Many of the sites are right at state parks, which are always a popular place for visitors on holidays. But we also have loaner sites at county parks and some public libraries.”